In Abu Dhabi, UN Chief Urges Leadership on Climate Change

In Abu Dhabi, UN Chief Warns Still 'Too Many Sitting on
the Fence', Urges Bold Leadership on Climate
Change

New York, May 5 2014 - With the ominous and
costly impacts of climate change profoundly evident, United
Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today that too
many stakeholders are still “sitting on the fence”, and
he challenged participants at a climate conference in Abu
Dhabi to help him build persuasive political arguments to
convince policymakers that the time for bold action is
now.

“Climate change is an issue for all. I need you all
to help us push back against sceptics and entrenched
interests,” said
the United Nations chief, wrapping up the “informative and
inspiring” two-day “Abu Dhabi Ascent”, which he
co-hosted with the United Arab Emirates Government to build
commitment ahead of his Climate Summit, set for 23 September
in New York.

More than 1,000 participants, including 100
Government ministers, gathered in Abu Dhabi for the event,
which opened yesterday, to chart new routes for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate
resilience.

The “Ascent” was the first international
meeting to draw on the conclusions of the recent reports
from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), which found its the consequences are already being
felt, and that while present action is insufficient, there
are still pathways towards a low carbon future that could
minimize climate change impacts. Action now, said the
report, is necessary in order to avoid much higher costs in
the future.

“Now the hard work begins. In the coming
months, I will count on the wisdom and initiative of all
actors. Those who are prepared to lead can expect
considerable returns,” the Secretary-General said,
explaining that the business opportunities of the low-carbon
economy are great and the social and environmental benefits
for countries in all regions are yet to be
realized.

“Now is the time for visionaries and those who
are prepared to act to step forward. I am urging all to
raise the level of ambition, he continued, and while
Governments have to lead, business and finance, voters and
consumers have a significant role to play.

Appealing to
the participants to help craft the political arguments that
will persuade leaders and policy makers in all areas of
Government that now is the time for bold action, Mr. Ban
said: “Too many are sitting on the fence, waiting for
others to lead.”

He also called for the building of new
alliances that will move climate action from the marketplace
of ideas to the commercial marketplace.

“Change is in
the air. I challenge you to be part of that change – to be
at the head of the race,” declared the Secretary-General,
warning that any Government or major business that doesn’t
have a climate strategy is in trouble. “Don’t get left
behind. Don’t be on the losing side of history.”

He
encouraged the participants to take inspiration from what
they have learned at the Ascent “so we can continue to
climb” emphasizing that they should develop their own
action portfolios, and build coalitions based on concrete
deliverable.

“Empower and motivate your national leaders
to bring bold announcements to the Climate Summit in
September. That is how we will support progress at the
climate talks in Lima this year so we may have a meaningful
agreement in Paris in 2015,” he said.

As part of his
activities in the afternoon, Mr. Ban toured the Shams 1
solar power plant to get un up-close look at the type of
renewable resources that can help power an overhaul of the
world's energy supply.

Shams 1 is the largest solar power
facility in the Middle East and the second largest in the
world. The 100 megawatt plant, which can provide electricity
for 20,000 households, is just over a year old, and its
owners have deemed it a commercial success.

Touring the
facility by bus, stopping on occasion to get a closer look
at the rows of parabolic solar collectors, the UN chief
said: “By harnessing the power of the sun, the United Arab
Emirates is cutting greenhouse gas emissions, generating
jobs and a laying the foundation for low-carbon economic
progress."

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